Our course has been accredited by the Royal Society of Biology and it ranked 4th in the UK for overall satisfaction in animal science in the National Student Survey (NSS) 2018.

What you will study

Our unique BSc Veterinary Biosciences course offers specialist training in the biology and research which forms the basis for veterinary science and its associated disciplines.

Our extensive network of partners in clinical practice, industry and research will offer you exceptional learning opportunities, enabling you to explore all aspects of veterinary science, including animal nutrition, veterinary public health and wildlife.

Professional Training placements

A Professional Training placement provides you with the opportunity to develop your professional, academic and personal potential, equipping you to be adaptable, resilient, globally minded, confident, entrepreneurial and digitally savvy in the workplace. These qualities are widely recognised by employers and many of our students are offered employment on graduation by their placement provider.

The Professional Training placement year gives our students an insight into their subject and career potential, and early access to professional experience. It can be invaluable in developing work-based skills and helping them secure a graduate career.

Veterinary Biosciences placements

Surrey’s Professional Training placement programme is incredibly beneficial in helping you get your desired job after graduating.

Our experienced Professional Training tutors will help you choose and apply to a selection of excellent placements in industry, veterinary surgeries, research laboratories, academia, zoological parks, conservation centres and sanctuaries.

As a veterinary biosciences student, you’ll also have the opportunity to take Professional Training placements at the nearby Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), the Pirbright Institute, and at internationally renowned vet schools abroad. This will give you the opportunity to work alongside veterinary scientists and veterinary surgeons in a number of disciplines, such as:

Applying for placements

Professional Training placements are usually applied for and secured via our online placement opportunities platform called Surrey Pathfinder, within which students can select and apply for placement vacancies. Placement providers use their own recruitment and selection procedures and the majority of students will secure their placement in this way. However, support is also provided to students wishing to source their own placement, subject to university requirements being met.

Students are generally not placed by the University, however they are given thorough support and guidance alongside access to the vacancy portal representing thousands of placement opportunities each year. Please be aware there may be travel costs incurred when attending interviews and assessment centres at the placement provider’s premises.

Professional recognition

BSc (Hons) - Royal Society of Biology
Accredited by the Royal Society of Biology for the purpose of meeting, in part, the academic and experience requirement of membership and Chartered Biologist (CBiol).

It may also provide a suitable platform for taking on a further undergraduate course in veterinary medicine or a postgraduate course (MSc or PhD).

Our recent BSc Veterinary Biosciences graduates have gone on to roles such as:

Research Scientist, Animal Health Trust

PhD studentship, Pirbright Institute

Veterinary medicine degree, University of Surrey and University of Bristol

PhD studentship, University of Surrey

Research Scientist, Royal Veterinary College

Agriculture R&D Team, Sainsbury's.

Veterinary science graduates have also gone on to become postgraduate researchers and laboratory scientists within Public Health England, the NHS, the Animal and Plant Health Agency and the Pirbright Institute.

Study and work abroad

We give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their degrees by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities or by completing a Professional Training placement abroad. In addition to the hugely enjoyable and satisfying experience, time spent abroad adds a distinctive element to your CV. View our study and work abroad exchange information to find out more and see where you can go.

Please note: the status of the Erasmus+ scheme is dependent on the outcome of the Brexit negotiations.

Our international exchange programme offers you the opportunity to study abroad at a partner university for either one semester or a full academic year as part of your course. As a BSc Veterinary Biosciences student, it might be possible for you to spend your full second year at one of our partner institutions.

The exchange programme enables you to study and live in another country, earning credits that contribute towards your Surrey degree, without paying extra tuition fees.

In doing so, you’ll broaden your horizons, meet other exchange students from around the world and experience student life in some of the most prestigious universities in the world. Studying abroad also enables you to become more independent, teaching you how to adapt and adjust to the culture and climate of another country.

In addition, or alternatively, you may wish to spend your Professional Training placement working in another country. Students have also travelled to Canada, Australia, Brazil and many European countries, typically working in a research laboratory at a partner institution.

If you work in another part of Europe, you may be eligible for an Erasmus+ grant. This is an excellent opportunity not only to gain valuable work experience but also to improve or learn another language.

Foundation year

The Veterinary Biosciences BSc with foundation has an additional year of study designed to support your transition on to latter years of the course. You will study full-time for one year at foundation level, and after successfully completing it you will be ready to move on to the next three years of the course.

This qualification is subject to approval. This means that it has received initial agreement from the University and is currently undergoing a detailed final approval exercise, through the University’s quality assurance processes.

Terms and conditions

When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our policies and regulations, and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions and our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) as a guide as to what to expect.

Please note: our offer terms and conditions will be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will vary to take into account specifics of your course.

Disclaimer

This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read more.

Academic year structure

The academic year is divided into two semesters of 15 weeks each. Each semester consists of a period of teaching, revision/directed learning and assessment.

The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff. Modules can be either 15, 30, 45 or 60 credits.

The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes.

Modules

Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.

Please note: If there is an optional Professional Training placement as part of your course, you can view the full module listing for this on the relevant programme specification.

2 from 8 optional modules listed in semester 1 and 2 from 3 optional modules listed in semester 2.
Students can take BMS3060 or BMS3091 but cannot take both, students can take BMS3079 or BMS3095 but cannot take both.

Timetables

Timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday–Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week, details of which can be obtained from the course administrators. View our Timetabling Policy (PDF).

Teaching

We offer a modular course based on a structured programme of advanced study, which allows you to pursue the subjects essential to your particular course, but at the same time offers you the flexibility to study other subjects of interest.

During your first year, almost half of your time is spent in laboratory practicals. In your second year, this decreases to around a quarter of your time. In your final year, you’ll conduct your own scientific research project, usually in one of our state-of-the-art research laboratories.

Research students will sometimes help to deliver your modules. These students will be researching in a similar subject to the module, and will have undertaken training prior to being invited to teach. The University has a set of procedures that govern the use of postgraduate research students in this way.

Staff

Programme leader

Personal tutor

All taught students are assigned a personal tutor before beginning a programme of study. Personal tutors offer support and advice to students in the areas of:

Academic progress

Pastoral/welfare issues

Personal/professional development and employability.

Assessment

Modules are assessed individually and credits are awarded for the successful completion of each one. Assessment takes place through a combination of examination and/or coursework, practical examinations and reports. Check individual module information to see full details at a module level.

Contact hours

Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.

Learning and disability support

We have two services, Academic Skills and Development and the Disability and Neurodiversity Service which can help develop your learning.

Academic Skills and Development

Academic Skills and Development is a learning space in the Library where our learning development team is based. It comprises dedicated Student Learning Advisers and Information Skills Librarians who can help you develop your academic and research skills, including writing, presenting, revision and critical thinking.

Disability and Neurodiversity Service

The University’s Disability and Neurodiversity Service supports students with disabilities, long-term health conditions, specific learning differences (such as dyslexia and dyspraxia) and other neurodiverse conditions (including autism spectrum and attention deficit disorder).

If you tell us about any conditions and register with us, we can give you appropriate support during your studies.

We can arrange exam and learning support adjustments, give advice on applications for the Disabled Students' Allowance, and test you for dyslexia and dyspraxia. We can also offer regular study skills and mentoring support.

English language support

Our English Language Support Programme (ELSP) provides tailored English language support during your studies. It is particularly valuable to students who speak English as a second or additional language, but native speakers are also welcome.

What qualifications do you need?

A-level

Overall: ABB-BBB.

Required subjects: Biology and a second science or Mathematics.

Please note: A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted.

GCSE or equivalent: English Language and Mathematics at Grade C(4) (or equivalent).

Access to HE Diploma

Overall: 45 Level 3 credits overall including 30 at Distinction and 15 at Merit to 45 Level 3 credits overall including 27 at Distinction and 18 at Merit.

Required subjects: This must include 15 credits in Biology and 15 credits in a second science or Mathematics.

GCSE or equivalent: English Language and Mathematics at Grade C(4) (or equivalent).

Scottish Highers

Overall: AABBB-ABBBB.

Required subject: Biology.

GCSE or equivalent: English Language and Maths Scottish National 5,C.

Welsh Baccalaureate

Overall: Pass overall with ABB-BBB from a combination of the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and two A-levels.

Required subjects: A-level Biology or Chemistry and a second science or Mathematics.

GCSE or equivalent: English Language and Mathematics ­– Numeracy as part of the Welsh Baccalaureate. Please check the A-level drop down for the required GCSE levels.

Please note: A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking are not accepted.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

Applicants taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) will receive our standard A-level offer, plus an alternate offer of one A-level grade lower, subject to achieving an A grade in the EPQ. The one grade reduction will not apply to any required subjects.

Other international qualifications

If you are an international student and you don’t meet the entry requirements to this degree, we offer the International Foundation Year, run by the Surrey International Study Centre.

Select your country

English language requirements

IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in Writing and 5.5 in each other element.

If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here. The University of Surrey is also an IELTS test centre.

Selection process

We normally make offers in terms of grades.

If you are a suitable candidate you may be invited to an applicant day. During your visit to the University you can find out more about the course and meet staff and students.

Recognition of prior learning

The University of Surrey recognises that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts. If this applies to you, a process called recognition of prior learning (RPL) may allow you to enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience, or to join the start of a course without the formal entry requirements. This means that you may be exempt from certain elements of study in the course for which you have applied and be awarded credit based on your previous qualifications/experience. There are restrictions on RPL for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims.